Kirsty Wark: I earn less than £500,000 a year

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Wark, who joined Newsnight in 1993, says that journalists have to expect some criticism. “It comes with the territory and you have to have a fairly thick skin,” she says.

A few years ago Wark was criticised by commentators who thought she was ‘setting herself up as a celebrity’. “There were several things that happened that they latched on to, but you just keep your head down, get on with your homework, and try and do the best you can.”

“I joined the BBC when I was 21, and all I am is a journalist. And what journalists do is try and ask the right questions. Often we fail, but you don’t set yourself to be anything other than that.”

When quizzed about her income she said that her annual pay from all sources, including much non-BBC earnings, is “south of” £500,000 a year.